4.1.3 Definitions of Abnormality: Deviation from Ideal Mental Health

Jahoda's criteria for ideal mental health:

• Positive attitude towards self - Having a positive self-concept
• Environmental mastery - Being able to adapt to new situations and be at ease with all situations within life
• Resistance to stress - Being able to cope with everyday situations
• Self-actualisation of one's potential - Experiencing personal growth
• Accurate perception of reality - Having an objective & realistic view of the world
• Personal autonomy - Being independent & self-reliant

May seem unrealistic: Difficulty of meeting all criteria, very few people would be able to do so and this suggests that very few people are psychologically healthy.

Cultural relativism:

These ideas are culture-bound, based on a Western idea of ideal mental health, and should not be used to judge other cultures. E.g., In collectivist cultures it is seen as normal to rely on others so self autonomy is less important. Therefore, self-actualisation may be seen as self-indulgent in collectivist cultures where focus is put on the community.